Head & Neck Cancers
Cancer of the head and neck affects the moist tissues that line our organs and body cavities, such as the throat, voice box and mouth.
Smoking tobacco products is the number one cause of most head and neck cancers. Dangerous byproducts in tobacco can damage our cells, which can then multiply out of control and cause cancer. If you smoke and drink alcohol excessively, you are at even greater risk of developing head or neck cancer, especially cancer of the throat, mouth or voice box.
Other common sites for head and neck cancers are the sinuses, the nose and the salivary glands. This group of cancers represents less than 5% of cancers in the U.S., affecting less than 40,000 Americans each year. See your doctor if you feel any numbness in your face, have a lump in your neck, mouth or jaw, have difficulty swallowing, or develop hoarseness in your voice.
Recently Answered
- Q When should I see a head and neck specialist about mouth sores?
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A mouth sore or a sore throat that lasts more than two weeks could be cause for concern. Watch this video with Dr. John Lee of Sanford Health to learn which above-the-shoulder lumps and bumps should trigger a referral to a specialist. Full Answer
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- Q What causes head and neck cancers?
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Tobacco (including smokeless tobacco, sometimes called "chewing tobacco" or "snuff") and alcohol use are the most important risk factors for head and neck cancers, particularly those of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Eighty-five... Full Answer
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- Q What are survival rates for head and neck cancers?
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Survival of head and neck cancers depend on where and when the disease is found. Check out this video with Dr. Chad Spanos, an ear, nose and throat medical oncologist, to learn which cancer has a survival rate of almost 100%. Full Answer
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- Q Can head and neck cancer be prevented?
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Although no method will prevent head and neck cancer with certainty, eliminating risk factors for the disease will reduce the chances of developing it. Because tobacco and alcohol use are the primary risk factors for head and neck cancer, stopping the... Full Answer
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- Q What is oropharyngeal cancer?
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Your pharynx is divided into three sections - the nasopharynx (top), oropharynx (middle), and hypopharynx (bottom). The nasopharynx begins behind the nose, while the hypopharynx connects to the esophagus. The oropharynx, of course, is found in the middle... Full Answer
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- Q How are head and neck cancers diagnosed?
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A doctor diagnoses head and neck cancer by examining the patient, checking for symptoms, reviewing medical history, and conducting a series of diagnostic tests, including x-rays and laboratory analysis of skin and blood samples. Head and neck... Full Answer
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- Q What is the rate of incidence of oropharyngeal cancer?
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The rate of incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is higher in men than in women. Overall, the rate of incidence of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx is 10.4 per 100,000. The rate of incidence of cancer in the oropharynx and tonsil region is 1.9 per... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my oropharyngeal cancer symptoms?
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If you develop symptoms such as persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, earache, the sensation that you have a lump in your throat, voice changes, or loss of weight, you should speak to your doctor. While these symptoms may not mean you have... Full Answer
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- Q How do other illnesses affect oropharyngeal cancer?
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Human papilloma virus is one illness that may affect the prognosis of oropharyngeal cancer, even though it is a risk factor for developing the cancer. Those with evidence of the virus in their tumor cells have a better prognosis than those with no... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a cure for oropharyngeal cancer?
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Whether or not oropharyngeal cancer can be cured depends on the cancer stage at diagnosis and the location of the tumor. The five-year survival rate for patients with stage I cancer of the oropharynx and tonsil is 56 percent. The five-year survival rates... Full Answer
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